Law and Policy MSc

This module examines the law relating to public and private limited companies. It defines the legal framework, both statutory and common law, within which companies operate. You will learn to assess the conduct of a company, its members and directors, and the legal obligations. You will consider the law relating to all the main aspects of its operation - from forming a company to winding it up.

You concentrate on the structure and functions of the state and the interaction between the organs of state. In particular, the way in which power is exercised by parliament and the government is considered.

The dissertation is the culmination of the MSc programme – an opportunity for you to apply your knowledge and research skills to a specific area of interest.

You are introduced to the statutory provisions and common law principles that govern the regulation of the employment relationship. You study the contract of employment and a number of statutory employment rights (including, most notably, unfair dismissal).

At the individual level you examine discrimination in terms of sex, disability and equal pay. At the collective level, you consider collective bargaining, trade union law and industrial conflict.

You focus on the legality and politics related to trading and examine the evolution of the law that governs international trade, as a means of providing a backdrop or context to the study of the present regime of rules that govern international trade activity at the multilateral level. You also examine and understand the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Agreements and how they relate to the achievement of a balanced framework that can support an international trading system with extremely diverse membership. Consider the philosophies and theories that influence the international trade and production discussion, and match the theories in relation to the WTO Agreements and how they are interpreted by the WTO dispute settlement panels and appellate bodies. The Agreements will be examined individually and consideration is placed on why and how such agreements relate to the growing concern for social issues (for example public health, environmental and labour standards) through the WTO

This module has the dual role of developing and consolidating your legal research skills to master’s level and possible publication or future academic study, as well as introducing and highlighting current complex legal issues, initiating discussion and critical analysis.

You consider the relationship between the state and individuals, and examine the Human Rights Act 1998 and the growing significance of European Convention rights for the UK citizen. This is a crucial area of legal study which provides important foundations for the understanding of other areas of law.